Chapter 149 - Hardcore Masochism

"What if we get lost?" Glancing to her side, Zoey inquired. 

"I'm good with directions, we won't." 

"What if we get robbed... I don't think we can break into other people's cars and hide there to death." Letting out another sigh, Zoey's face grew gloomier than ever. 

How could she not? Aside from the disappointment of having a romantic date arranged by him, he took her out on a long walk in a rural place. Also, not that Zoey hated working out, she was not in the mood for a walk. 

"There's a reason I broke into your car before." Stopping in his tracks, Matthew Xi turned towards the gloomy Zoey. Upon setting his eyes on her reluctance for a walk, the corner of his lips hooked up. 

Now she knew how he felt being dragged around like she usually does to him. Unlike how he showed it on the surface, Matthew Xi almost felt the same as what she felt now. 

"Yeah, the reason is you got robbed and stabbed." In a sarcastic manner, Zoey raised her brows as she slowly blinked her eyes. Although Zoey figured out how he had invaded her car because it was obvious that she had left it unlocked; his 'reasons' were pretty much obvious. 

"No, actually the stabbing was the second attempt." Shaking his head sideways, Matthew Xi paused as he watched her knit her brows. "Whenever I encounter a robbery, I obediently give my wallet and any penny I have. However, I had too much on my mind that night and didn't feel like letting the robbers take advantage of me." He resumed, shrugging his shoulders as if it was no big thing.

As Zoey absorbed his words, her mouth opened ever so slowly. Did he just say he was robbed more than once? Yet these weird long walks haven't traumatized him!?! WOAH... that's some hardcore masochism! 

Zoey just stared at him in awe; she couldn't find the right words to speak as she was too shocked to know this side of the story. Oh good lord, she wasn't ready for this! 

"So, when I escaped the first attempt, their friends came back to get back at me." Instead of going through the details, Matthew Xi shortened it in one sentence. 

After all, it was quite an unpleasant story to tell and he might spook her if he had gone into the details. After all, that night was no ordinary night as he wasn't the only one who shed blood. Matthew Xi had to admit that he went overboard and went to vent his stress to some random thugs that picked on him. 

After a minute, Zoey finally recovered — thanks to his last remarks that made her divert her attention from his fetish. "Get back at you? Darling, thugs just don't come at you unless you hurt their friends." She asked, squinting her eyes in suspicion. 

"I did say I didn't feel like being taken advantage so I fought back." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew Xi shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Then when their plan failed, their whole gang surrounded me as I continued my walk." 

Well, he wasn't lying though. It was truly what happened — rather, half of what truly transpired that night. It was true that Matthew Xi defeated three huge thugs that blocked his way. 

However, he didn't notice that there was another one who seemed to be the underdog who witnessed what happened. Therefore, as he continued his walk, four motorcycles surrounded him in a deserted playground where he decided to rest. 

At least eight people, six men with silly hairstyles, tattooed skin, evident piercings; along with two women whom anyone could see what lies beneath their tight skirts and top, gathered around his lone figure. They were akin to street gangsters who knew nothing but exploiting the weak and spending their lowly lives doing minor crimes. 

A lot happened that night as they wanted not only Matthew Xi's money, but they also wanted to use him as their sandbag. Therefore, Matthew Xi who had already calmed down and willing to give them money had to fight back. 

After all, no matter what he said, they wouldn't listen to him. He wasn't surprised, though. They were a small gang for a reason. Hence, Matthew Xi didn't expect that their judgement would be wise. 

"My gosh..." Zoey muttered, looking at him in disbelief. "Browny, I don't know if you're stupid or smart." Shaking her head, Zoey cast him another look full of disbelief, which made him arch his brow. 

"How can you say so?" 

"If that wasn't the first time you got robbed, you should have brought a knife with you!" She exclaimed, leaving him dumbfounded for a few seconds. 

He expected that she would say something more important upon knowing a bit of him. However, she told him he was stupid for not being prepared beforehand?!

"I bet you were caught off-guard and got stabbed. Fortunately, that underdog was good with weapons." She sighed, clicking her tongue as she rolled her eyes at him. 

Alas, her last remarks made his brows knit. "How did you know it was the underdog who stabbed me?" He asked. Matthew Xi could perfectly remember the little details he told her and not once he mentioned about the underdog. 

"Well," Taking a step back, a complicated expression flashed across her face as she pondered how she should put it. "The stab missed your vital points, though it was close by a few centimeters — the doctor had mentioned. Also, I kinda..." Scratching the back of her head, Zoey let out a deep sigh as she realized something. 

"Kinda...?" Furrowing his brows, Matthew Xi repeated as he waited for her explanation. 

"I kinda heard about that gang around the area. I know someone who joined them just recently and heard he was being treated as an underdog. I just didn't realize till now that they robbed people too, since they mostly sell drugs and other bad stuff." Giving out her explanation, Zoey turned her sorry countenance to him. 

God knows Zoey didn't realize that the people responsible for that incident were those low-life gang members. After all, robberies happen around the area and it was possible that someone else did it. 

"You... you know them?" Matthew Xi's eyes narrowed, suspicious about how large Zoey's connections were. 

"Nah, just the underdog. I wish I could tell you more about him but it's classified information and we better not know more about it." Shaking her head, Zoey answered truthfully. Yet, Matthew Xi's suspicion and intrigue rose to another level. 

By the looks of it, there would never be a day that these questions he had for her would reduce. After all, if he got an answer for one question, another ten would arise. 

"Browny, don't worry. I'm not doing illegal things even if I am tempted, okay? Also, that underdog is a dutiful citizen. He must've stabbed you for a reason." Sensing his suspicious gaze, Zoey forced a smile on her lips as she almost choked upon saying the 'good citizen' part. 

"Prove it." Blinking once, Matthew Xi flatly affirmed, which caused her thought bubble to be filled with question marks. 

"Prove what?"

"You're not doing illegal activities." Without further ado, Matthew Xi immediately responded. 

Zoey, upon hearing his actual concern she could not help but let the side of her face twitch. Why would she do illegal activities? She was actually more worried to prove that that underdog was a kind person! 

"I am n—!" 

"Proof." Not letting her argue, Matthew Xi was adamant to know this. If he knew earlier, he could still do something about it. 

"Alright, alright! Jeez!" Zoey raised both her hands, shoulder level as she conceded.